Definition:


Tragedy:


In general, a literary work in which the central character meets an unhappy or disastrous end. Unlike comedy, which often portrays a central character of weak nature, tragedy often involves the problems of a central character of dignified or heroic stature. Through a related series of events, this main character, the tragic hero or heroine, is brought to a final downfall. Through the course of the play the hero, and the audience, learns from the hero's mistake.

Tragic Hero:


A tragic hero is a protagonist who is otherwise perfect except for a tragic flaw, also known as fatal flaw, that eventually leads to his demise. The concept of the tragic hero was created in ancient Greek tragedy and defined by Aristotle. In fact, an Aristotelian tragic hero must have four characteristics: goodness, superiority (in terms of politics, reputation, or perceived wisdom, etc.), a tragic flaw, and a realization of both his flaw and his inevitable demise.

Example Poem/Play:


Romeo and Juliet Play Summary

There was a young man and a young woman who fell deeply in love. But they couldn't be together since their families were rivals. They would see each other in secret. Romeo's servant tells him that Juliet has died and that her tomb is at the cemetery. Romeo tells his servant that he will go to the Juliet’s tomb and there he will kill himself with the poison. When he gets there he finds Paris and Paris provokes Romeo to fight. In the process Romeo slays Paris. He then takes the poison and kills himself. Juliet awakens to find her lover she tries killing herself with Romeos poison but she can't find inside the jar or on his lips. She then takes Romeos sword and stabs herself.

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How the Tragedy and the Tragic Hero Are Used:


This play is a trsgedy because its about two lovers that cant be with each other. In the Romeo kills himself since he thinks Juliet is dead. After he is dead Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead and then kills herself.

Romeo is a tragic hero because he is perfect in every way except for a flaw he has. The flaw he has is that he is moved by pasion rather then to think things thru. Like in the ending where he kills himself because he thinks Juliet his love is dead.